On September 9, 2024, Myron and Berna Garron announced a monumental $25 million donation to IWK Health — the single largest individual donation to health care in Atlantic Canada.
This catalyst gift will support a reimagined therapeutic environment for IWK mental health and addictions intensive services in the community, the final component of an Ecosystem for Child & Adolescent Mental Health and Addictions.
According to available information, this Mental Health and Addictions Ecosystem is the first of its kind in the world. It is a place where all the mental health services for children and youth are connected. This provides a unique opportunity to create a truly unified mental health and addictions system of care. Regardless of which door patients walk through, the spaces and places will reflect the IWK’s dedication to excellence in care.
Myron and Berna Garron have been at the forefront of unprecedented change at the IWK, and the opening of the Garron Centre for Child & Adolescent Mental Health (Garron Centre) 10 years ago is just one example demonstrating the power and impact of their philanthropy.
“The lives of Maritime patients have literally been saved because of the Garron Centre and its incredible care team,” says Jennifer Gillivan, President & CEO, IWK Foundation. “Through this tremendous catalyst investment in the Mental Health and Addictions Ecosystem, their generosity will once again save and change lives not only today but for years to come. Thank you, Myron and Berna, for once again believing in the IWK and for investing in the future of our children and youth.”
In addition to mental health intensive services, key components of the Ecosystem for Child & Adolescent Mental Health and Addictions include the Garron Centre for Child & Adolescent Mental Health, the Emergency Mental Health and Addictions space in the new IWK Emergency Department and Integrated Youth Services-NS (IYS-NS).